Why does "Leidenschaft" mean "passion" while "leiden" means "to suffer"?

Question

The word "Leidenschaft" strikes me as having a quite weird construction. The [Wiktionary entry](https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Leidenschaft) simply states its etymology to be "Leiden" + "schaft". However it makes little sense to me why "suffering-ship" becomes "passion". When did the word come into daily use, and is there any particular cultural background to it?

Answer 1

I think we could interpret how we want.. it is what it is. Without no rule and you have to accept it. But because you are looking after a scense or meaning for that,

I would say :

Leiden is to suffer.. but suffer so long to make something beautifully coming out of it is the connection of two words suffer and passion. Sometimes to achieve what you are passionate about or your goal you have to suffer!

Answer 2

Passion often creates (schaffen) suffering (Leiden). It is a composite word. The meaning of Passion Sunday may also help to understand.